Arsenal’s unbeaten start to the Premier Reserve League season continued this evening, but goals from Luke Freeman and Chuks Aneke were not enough to secure all three points in a 2-2 draw with Swansea City
Neil Banfield warned against Swansea’s flowing football before kick off, but the divison’s newest entrants had shipped eight goals in two games on the road, and were naturally cautious in the opening stages.
Yet it was the visitors carved out the only real chance of the opening exchanges, only for Gwion Edwards to flick Stephen Dobbie’s cross over the bar. However, proceedings exploded into life on the 15 minute mark, when Ryo Miyaichi beat two players out wide, before his cross was turned home by Luke Freeman. 1-0.
It was an goal from nowhere, and with Miyaichi, Chuks Aneke and Sanchez Watt all coming close to a second, the Gunners were not resting on their lead. But as unlikely as Arsenal’s goal was, Swansea matched it with one of their own. Kurtis March got it, lashing in another Dobbie cross for 1-1, as the game approached half time.
Far from being frustrated, Banfield’s young charges appeared energised by the Swansea goal, and were promptly back in front when Oguzhan Özyakup’s corner was met by a flick header from Aneke. 2-1, and much deserved.
The game struggled to get going after the restart, with Dobbie’s drilled free-kick being blocked by Martin Angha and a powerful Zak Ansah drive being turned over by Gerhard Tremmel the only real chances.
Swansea threatened a late push, but after Edwards was withdrawn through injury, any late threat seemed to be lost. However, Dobbie produced a superb last ditch equaliser in the 90th minute, slamming a in a free kick for 2-2.
And that’s how it finished. No three points, but with excellent performances from Aneke and Özyakup among others, Banfield’s boys can be happy with their evening’s work.